Let the chaos begin!

We enter into this holiday season always
running at full speed ahead! We begin to
write our lists which become lists upon sub-
lists. Our game plan is to collect the ads
from the paper and map out our days to
get to the best sale and buy that special
item. We drive ourselves crazy running
from place to place trying to get everything
done in time. Along with that we have places
to be, people to visit, holiday parties and
plenty of pictures to be taken! It seems like
it will never be done.

What happens to our families in all of this
holiday chaos? As a school teacher, I always
see the children from a different perspective
at holiday time. I see it in my own children
as well. December is a time of excitement, but
also a time of stress all around. And, our
children feed right from us adults. The less
stressed our holiday time is expressed, the better
our children seem to do all around. But in all
actuality, let's face it, this season is stressful.
Part of it is because we may be able to keep it
all organized within our own families, however,
we also have to function right along with the
chaos outside our front door! Everyone else's
stress seems to trickle over.

Keeping your children organized and at peace
during this season begins with us. Do we tend to be
so busy getting things ready that we overlook
how important it is to keep the routine going for
our families? It begins at Thanksgiving time when
they have those first few days off from school and it
seems to run right through the New Year holiday!
What happens in those 6 weeks is sometimes pure chaos.
How everything gets done and falls into place is
a miracle some years. But does it have to be this
crazy?

The holiday season is a time for traditions to be made.
That trip to the zoo to see the lights at night, a seat on
Santa's lap, a roadtrip to grandma's and grandpa's,
a neighborhood or office party, tree decorating and so
many more fun things to do together as a family.

So, in the hustle and bustle of making and filling the
lists and activities, remember to begin some new
traditions and don't forget to keep the old ones going
strong. Relax, enjoy that moment of hot cocoa and
conversation with your children, listen to those stories
of Santa and relatives memories. Keep your children
to their usual routine as much as possible for your
own sanity and enjoy every moment of the holiday
season.

Happy holidays from kidsklutter! To find out how
you can bring a wonderful and organized idea to your
school visit us at www.kidsklutter.com. Your school
can make more money and you can have peace of mind.

A New Season

Some of us have children who have returned
to school and others are going back this week.
Some of us have young children who are going
to a school for the very first time, young adults
entering middle school or high school or adults
beginning the adventure of college life.

In any event, we are all in a new season. Each
new season presents us with new opportunities.
And with those opportunities comes growth and
the start of something brand new.

Although, it is a great idea to set your family up
to be successful and organized during the school
year, it is equally a time to find out what works
and what does not. And, it is important to change
the not working things early on so they do not
change your positive thinking about all the things
that are working.

A positive attitude is the key to starting each new
day and getting your children motivated. The more
positive things we role model, the more our children
will take on that "can do" attitude. In my house,
my son has tried to stay in bed until the last possible
minute. No alarm clock will wake him up. I will go
in and call him a dozen times and when he finally
gets rolling he only remembers my final call which
is usually something similar to a cattle call. Then his
response is something like, "You do not have to yell
at me!" Not a great way for anyone to start the morning.
Then, as a mom, you manifest it inside that
you did something wrong and it weighs on you throughout
the morning routine and you find yourself apologizing
and more frustrated then ever. So, how do you change
those negative morning routines? I quickly realized it
was in the entire schedule and routine at my house.

Part of it is making your children realize everyone has
a role in the house. In the morning, they are responsible for getting
up, getting dressed, brushing teeth and getting downstairs
for breakfast. Mom is responsible for getting everyone
started, getting lunches ready and breakfast on the table.
Everyone is responsible to help with getting out of the
house on time...be it to the bus stop, the garage or the
car pool friend. When you think about it there are many
things that have to get done in the short amount of time
in the morning because we all move a little slower. To
make it more sane for everyone, make sure all of the
organizing is done the night before. Homework, reading,
backpacks packed, clothes layed out for the next day,
any extra things needed, etc. Moms should simplify their
life in the morning as well - easier breakfasts on school days,
prepare what can be done for lunch the night before. Fancy
breakfasts can be a great time together on the weekends.

Children are overwhelmed easily and routine is key. They
have a schedule at school because it is a fact that they
learn and function better when they have some idea of
what to expect. So, we should try very hard to have a
schedule at home.

A special and appropriate homework place is a start. A desk with
a chair that fits your child is ideal. All children should sit at
a 90 degree angle for optimal learning. If possible, feet should
be touching the floor. If they are sitting in a chair that spins or
their legs dangle, they do not have the best upper trunk support
for writing or creating. A quiet place without outside distractions
will help concentration. And, a reasonable amount of "playtime"
or "downtime" is equally important to a successful student. They
need to separate from school for awhile. Most important, family time
around the dinner table is ideal for talking about the great things that
happened during the day and processing the not so great. Everyone,
regardless of your age, needs to talk about their day and leave with a
positive thought. Reading together is also a great way to spend time
together before bedtime. Something relaxing will help the brain turn
down the bed and be ready for the much needed sleep.

Of course, there is the sport, dance or club you have to factor in to your
master schedule and there will be days when the ideal is not perfect.
We have all done homework in a fast food restaurant or the library
between things. The key here is not to overschedule your children
or your family. Having chaos a night or two is something; however,
if this becomes the norm in your house you will quickly find things
will become more difficult to accomplish all around. It will feel like
the days just flow together and everyone looks forward to a day off.

Find the balance this school year so that everyone can be successful,
rested and heard. Children and adults need balance. This may take
a few weeks to figure out with your family but most important to
keeping a positive outlook as a family. A good guideline is if mom or
dad are feeling overwhelmed with the week then you can assume your
children are feeling it twice as much. A day needs to start and end on
a good note and not be carried through to weeks end. Sit down, as
a family and come up with a master schedule. Plug in all the necessary
things that cannot be moved first. Have everyone take on something
in the house. Kids can plan meals, help shop, help cook, sort laundry,
clean up, set the table. Create a schedule and plug everyone in. The
more involved everyone is in planning the schedule, the more successful
the schedule will be!

Welcome back to school and have a great month!

Mid Summer Chaos

Where did the summer go? It is almost the middle of July.
Some of you have taken a vacation and some of you are
probably going soon. What does this mean in the chaos of
summer?

Summer is supposed to place us at a slower pace, but in reality
it takes more scheduling than during the school year in most
cases. Whether you are a stay at home or working parent,
finding activities and quality care can be challenging. It seems
that even though our economy is in a difficult place,
the cost of services is still on the rise. This means we all had
to be more strategic in our planning. Perhaps we pooled time
with a neighbor or friend in helping to care for each other's
children or we were able to work out a flexible schedule
with a spouse or at your job to have someone at home in shifts.
As parents, we know that we would do anything for our children
in making sure they had the best possible care available.

Summer comes with stressors. If not the scheduling, it is more
the unscheduled child. It is all about balance. It is important
that there still be some sort of schedule during the summer.
A good plan is to divide play, electronic activity, learning and
quiet time in proportion. Since summer is ideal for sunshine and
outdoor activities, it is good to get the kids outside as much as
possible. All activities can be done outdoors when the weather
permits. Summer is a great time to reinvent those games that
require motor play and interaction with friends.

With all the new technology, it is easy for our children to fall
into the trap of electronic everything! It is time to put the timer
on these activities and get those kids in more physical play with
the main goal of motivating them to keep going on this path in
the fall, winter and spring. Summer allows you habit forming fun!

As a teacher, I see less and less of children being able to just play
and use their creativity to invent new games and have fun
being relaxed...without the intervention of some sort of technology.
We all need to teach them to play regardless of their age. Even
us adults could use more play in our lives.

So the challenge for the rest of the summer is to get outside; pick
up a ball, go for a swim, ride a bike, play a game in the park
or backyard, picnic, read under a tree, sing on the swings, race
down the street, roller skate, dance, sleep under the stars, talk
to your children about the dreams, their own concerns,
find pictures in the clouds, jump in the puddles and look for rainbows.

Whatever the stressors are in your life this summer, find the balance
and get back to basics. Technology will always grow and be available.
Children will be little once and only you can laugh with them everyday!

Have a great rest of the summer!